House Agriculture Committee

U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson says he anticipates being able to work out compromises on agricultural issues in the next Congress, but he has some concerns about the lineup of the next Senate Agriculture Committee.

For the first time in two decades, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson finds himself having to fight hard to keep his job and to avert a loss that could cost Minnesota one of Congress’ most influential voices on farm matters. Peterson is the ranking minority member and former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He has represented western Minnesota’s 7th District for nearly 24 years and says it benefits from his clout.

As the House began debate on its version of a new five-year farm bill, the dean of Minnesota’s congressional delegation urged colleagues to pass it. Rep. Collin Peterson, the senior Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, says compromise is rare on Capitol Hill, but it’s what’s needed to get the bill passed.

A conservative Blue Dog Democrat from Minnesota who broke ranks with most members of his party by voting against a bill to avert the so-called fiscal cliff said Wednesday it fails to cut spending enough and won’t prevent another political showdown.

Many Republicans who swept rural Democrats from office are now confronting the reality of a promise to reduce spending: Should it cover the farm subsidies that have brought money and jobs to their districts — and directly benefited some GOP lawmakers or their families?